It is a constant struggle trying to bring more customers to a web site. Many of the options available to site owners that can effectively bring in more business are often things they have no control over (search engines, for instance). One very effective and much more personalized way to help facilitate raising awareness of one’s business is by using social media. With the large number and types of social media on the web, knowing which one will work the best for one’s business is the hardest part.
Forms and style of social media
There are quite a few forms of social media and within those forms there are several technologies involved. Reviews and opinions, collaboration, communication and multimedia are some of the core styles of social media. Communication is one of the more popular styles – blogs, micro-blogging, events, and social networking can be listed among this style type. As the purpose is to “get the word out” about one’s business, the social media style type of choice is communication.
Micro-blogging and Twitter
Micro-blogging is the sending of short text updates, sometimes including a photo or short audio/video clip. This is an extremely effective way to communicate to a large audience without losing their interest. It can be used to disseminate news regarding a company, announce the company’s latest products, or even inform the general public of upcoming sales. By far one of the most popular micro-blogging sites on the web is Twitter.
Signing up with Twitter is an extremely easy process. The registration requires a full name (a company name would work as well here), a username (this should also reflect the company or business name), a password, and an email address. Once these are entered, a new Twitter account is created on the fly. After an account has been created, the next step is to use one of the available “widgets” that can be found at Twitter’s Goodies page. There is a widget in place that can be used on a web site and the instructions are very easy to follow.
There are quite a few companies on the web that use Twitter and use it very well. Comcast, Southwest Airlines, and H&R Block are just a few. Checking out how these companies have used Twitter to inform and excite the public will enable one to figure out the best Twitter “strategy” for their own business.
Events and Eventful
If the business in question is more geared toward events, performers or avenues, a good choice for a social media outlet would be Eventful. This service allows people and businesses to share information to the public in regards to upcoming events. Private and public calendars can be created, events can be searched for and tracked and users can even declare which events they would most like to see in their area.
Much like Twitter, the sign up process for Eventful is simple and instantaneous. Once the account is created, the user can choose from some popular events, favorite performers and event categories. After all preferences have been filled out, the user is presented with their main screen. It is here that a new event can be created. While Eventful doesn’t present a widget that you can quickly use, they do offer a web services API. An alternative to this is to simply place a link within the business website, pointing to the Eventful calendar created by the business.
Conclusion
There are dozens upon dozens of more social media applications available that could be used in conjunction with a business web site. The best way to determine which will work the best for one’s own business is by figuring out exactly what information needs to be presented to the public and which social media venue will get that job done in the best manner. Check out what other companies and businesses have done with social media and put your business on the social media track.
January 2nd, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Useful tips! they are going to help me when i have nothing in mind to blog about, thanks